A funny thing happened while searching for Elvis

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. For those keeping tabs on the King, the 33rd anniversary of Elvis Presley's death came and went yesterday. As we here at Pieces of History are always interested in sharing tidbits from the Archives that may otherwise go unnoticed, we … Continue reading A funny thing happened while searching for Elvis

New Deal faces old court

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. When the sweeping laws of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal were enacted, it did not take long for the laws to get challenged in the courts. From Social Security to a spate of other laws meant to revamp an economy … Continue reading New Deal faces old court

You can grow a mustache, but you can never leave

Did you catch Mugged! Facing Life at Leavenworth at the  National Archives at Kansas City this summer? The exhibit may be closed now, but you can learn more about the prison, its inmates, and its records in this new article from Prologue. And it's not too late to see some more mug shots from the exhibits. Check … Continue reading You can grow a mustache, but you can never leave

Thursday’s Photo Caption Contest

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Well, it's not synchronized swimming on land, it's legitimate life saver training in Idaho, circa 1936. You can view the ARC entry for this photo (a record of the FDR Presidential Library) by clicking on the picture at left. Andrea … Continue reading Thursday’s Photo Caption Contest

The Constitution has a Facebook Page

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. While the Constitution may not update it's own writing too often (the last time was in 1992), it does update its own Facebook page. So why not head on over and see what's on the Constitution's mind? The Constitution will … Continue reading The Constitution has a Facebook Page

Are you there Venus? It’s me, Earth

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Twenty years ago today, NASA dropped by our neighbor Venus to say hello and snap a few pictures. The Magellan probe entered orbit, took a terrestrial map of Venus, and then did something very rude: it crashed into the planet. Not … Continue reading Are you there Venus? It’s me, Earth

Leslie King, 38th President of the United States

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Gerald Ford's ascendancy to the office of the President of the United States marked several firsts. For one, President Ford was the first (and so far only) Eagle scout to reach the nation's highest office. Then there is the name change: Gerald … Continue reading Leslie King, 38th President of the United States

Your photos, then and now

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Last week we asked our readers to share photos that match up with some old images we have in our library. We got two responses that really show just how much things have changed in Washington, DC. See our then … Continue reading Your photos, then and now

Facial Hair Friday: The Brooklyn Bridge

It's a nineteenth-century twist on six degrees of separations--except Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren isn't connected to Kevin Bacon. Along with his mustache and soul patch, he's two degrees of separation from the Brooklyn Bridge. Warren was one of 12 children. His sister Emily came to visit him at his headquarter when he was commanding the Fifth … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: The Brooklyn Bridge

Thursday’s Photo Caption Contest

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. The original caption to last week's photo seemed a bit tongue in cheek itself. "FEAF BOMBER COMMAND, JAPAN—As the words informing the world of the truce being signed in Korea reached the ears of military personnel in Korea and Japan, … Continue reading Thursday’s Photo Caption Contest